Manchester United are preparing an unusual swap involving a goalkeeper and a midfielder, while the club have opened talks to secure a major talent from the Eredivisie.
While much of the summer wind around United is expected to be about who will be the next permanent manager at Old Trafford, recruitment director Christopher Vivell and sporting director Jason Wilcox continue to map out transfer targets.
Read: How the seven players Tottenham signed for Gareth Bale money fared
The midfield is expected to be a major issue when Casemiro leaves, and a recent report suggests that United are ready to propose a swap that includes an experienced former Premier League midfielder.
United are planning this summer’s swap
According to Turkish media, United are planning to get rid of goalkeeper Altay Bayindir to Besiktas in the summer, and at the same time bring Wilfred Ndidi to Old Trafford in a swap.
Our sources reported as recently as January that United had requested to sign Ndidi from the Turkish club. Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who worked with Ndidi at Besiktas, advised Wilcox to consider a deal for the Nigerian international midfielder.
Despite the recommendation, INEOS chose not to make a formal bid. Now the Turkish newspaper Sporx reports that United are willing to make a deal with Besiktas for Ndidi that means Bayindir is sent the opposite way.
Besiktas manager Sergen Yalcin wants to sign a new goalkeeper in the summer, and has “made a clear request” to the management to sign Bayindir from United. The Turkish international goalkeeper has become Besiktas’ “primary target” for the summer transfer window.
The report adds that “United, who have long followed Wilfred Ndidi, are preparing a second attempt at the end of the season, and a swap deal with Altay Bayindir has been discussed”.
A strange affair if it comes to fruition, but definitely worth keeping an eye on, given United’s need for at least one new midfielder and Besiktas’ search for a new last line of defence.
Read: Atletico Madrid must sell their biggest star to make room for Mason Greenwood
Official contact for great Ajax talent
Manchester United could be in the process of securing a new winger after initiating talks with Ajax over a move to a big talent.
While the memories of the disastrous Antony deal are likely to make United supporters shudder at the thought of another deal with Ajax, Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri claims that United are ready to re-invest with their Dutch counterpart.
Tavolieri: “Manchester United have officially reached out to Ajax Amsterdam to explore the possibilities of a deal for Mika Godts. The Belgian talent will become one of the most sought-after in the upcoming transfer market and is expected to leave the Dutch club in the summer.”
Tavolieri specializes in Belgian players, which at least gives the reputation some weight.
Godts is a right-footed left winger, and it is well known that United are looking for exactly that type of player in the summer. Despite being only 20 years old, the talented attacker is remarkably experienced with over 100 appearances for Ajax’s first team.
However, it is this season that he has really blossomed, with 14 goals and nine assists in just 25 Eredivisie appearances.
Still, as we’ve seen with imports directly from the Eredivisie in recent times, the leap up to the Premier League could be difficult – although a move for Godts is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Shocking Rashford substitution proposal
Manchester United are reportedly proposing a cash-plus player bid for Barcelona, after the Spanish giants are reluctant to activate the purchase option for Marcus Rashford in the summer.
Barcelona want to keep Rashford permanently, and the 28-year-old has more than proven his worth during a successful loan spell so far. The English side have recorded 23 goal points (10 goals, 13 assists), and could be signed permanently if Barcelona pay €30 million.
But even though Rashford has agreed personal terms with the Spanish club and all parties want to continue the collaboration, Barcelona are playing hide and seek on the club-to-club side of the deal.
talkSPORT recently reported that Barcelona had proposed a new loan, which would allow the club to postpone the payment of €30 million to United for another 12 months.
After being re-elected as Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta also hinted at a new loan spell for Rashford. Laporta explained, “We can extend the loan further. It depends on what Deco wants. There are formulas, such as paying part of the purchase option to Manchester United and arranging the rest later.”
United have made it crystal clear that there will be no new loan, nor any renegotiation of the 30 million option at a lower sum.
But the latest to come out of Spain suggests that United are prepared to make a deal for a lower sum on one condition – that they get talented midfielder Marc Casado in the opposite direction.
It is claimed that United are “accepting” a €10 million deal plus Casado, who is a defensive midfielder, in exchange for Rashford.
More United news: Liverpool game, Greenwood gold
Manchester United and Liverpool are both stepping up their interest in signing a midfielder from Wolves in the summer, TEAMtalk has learned.
Atlético Madrid are working behind the scenes to target Marseille striker Mason Greenwood as a possible replacement for Julian Alvarez – and this could be a huge bonus for his former club Manchester United, TEAMtalk confirms.
Finally, United have explained why they have a clear advantage over Arsenal in the race to sign Bayern Munich’s star Leon Goretzka in the summer.
Wrexham are going for the player who a few years ago was Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp’s biggest star
